763-765 Woodbine Avenue & 1945-1955 Gerrard Street East Zoning and Site Plan Applications
Preliminary Report
| Date: | September 7, 2007 |
|---|---|
| To: | Toronto and East York Community Council |
| From: | Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District |
| Wards: | Ward No. 32 Beaches-East York |
| Reference Number: | File Nos. 07 235476 STE 32 OZ, & 07 235470 STE 32 SA |
SUMMARY
This application was made on or after January 1, 2007 and is subject to the new provisions of the Planning Act and the City of Toronto Act, 2006.
This application proposes to construct a 7 storey mixed use building containing 36 residential units with commercial units at grade at 763-765 Woodbine Avenue and 1945-1955 Gerrard Street East.
This report provides preliminary information on the above-noted
applications and seeks Community Council's directions on further
processing of the application and on the community consultation
process.
This application has been circulated to City departments and external agencies, where appropriate, for comment. Staff will hold a community consultation meeting in the fall of 2007. The target date assumes that applicant will provide all required information in a timely manner.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The City Planning Division recommends that:
- staff be directed to schedule a community consultation meeting together with the Ward Councillor;
- notice for the community consultation meeting be given to landowners and residents within 120 metres of the site; and
- notice for the public meeting under the Planning Act be given according to the regulations under the Planning Act.
Financial Impact
The recommendations in this report have no financial impact.
ISSUE BACKGROUND
Proposal
On July 12, 2007 Carson Woods Architects Limited, on behalf of Yan On Investments Limited, applied for a Zoning By-law amendment and for Site Plan approval to construct a seven storey mixed use building containing 36 residential units and retail space at grade.
The proposed total gross floor area is 4,737 square metres or 4.14 times the area of the lot and the proposed height is 22.53 metres. A total of 36 parking spaces located in one level of underground parking is proposed. See Attachment 6: Application Data Sheet.
Site and Surrounding Area
The 1,144 square metre site is at the south-east corner of Woodbine Avenue and Gerrard Street East. The site is currently occupied by a single storey commercial building at the intersection, and 2-2 storey buildings with commercial at grade on the eastern portion of the site.
The surrounding uses are as follows:
| North: | 1-2 storey mixed use buildings |
| South: | 5 storey residential building |
| East: | low density residential neighbourhood |
| West: | 1-2 storey mixed use buildings |
Provincial Policy Statement and Provincial Plans
The Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) provides policy direction on matters of provincial interest related to land use planning and development. The PPS sets the policy foundation for regulating the development and use of land. The key objectives include: building strong communities; wise use and management of resources; and, protecting public health and safety. City Council's planning decisions are required to be consistent with the PPS.
The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe provides a framework for managing growth in the Greater Golden Horseshoe including: directions for where and how to grow; the provision of infrastructure to support growth; and protecting natural systems and cultivating a culture of conservation. City Council's planning decisions are required to conform, or not conflict, with the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
Staff will review the proposed development for consistency with the PPS and for conformity with the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
Official Plan
The Official Plan designates the site Mixed Use Area, made up of a broad range of commercial, residential and institutional uses, in single use or mixed use buildings, as well as parks and open spaces and utilities.
The Plan provides a list of development criteria that include:
| - | locate and mass new buildings to provide a transition between areas of different development intensity and scale, as necessary to achieve the objectives of this Plan, through means such as providing appropriate setbacks and/or stepping down of heights, particularly towards lower scale Neighbourhoods; |
| - | locate and mass new buildings so as to adequately limit shadow impacts on adjacent Neighbourhoods particularly during the spring and fall equinoxes; |
| - | provide good site access and circulation and an adequate supply of parking for residents and visitors; |
| - | provide an attractive, comfortable and safe pedestrian environment; |
| - | locate and screen service areas, ramps and garbage storage to minimize the impact on adjacent streets and residences; and |
| - | provide indoor and outdoor recreation space for building residents in every significant multi-unit residential development. |
Zoning
The site is zoned CR T2.0 C0.5 R2.0 in the former City of Toronto Zoning By-law 438- 86. This is a mixed-use designation that permits development up to 2.0 times the area of the lot, of which a maximum of 0.5 times may be non-residential and a maximum of 2.0 times may be residential. The maximum permitted height is 12.0 metres.
Site Plan Control
The property is subject to site plan control. An application for site plan control has been submitted.
Reasons for the Application
The applicant proposes a density of 4.14 times the area of the lot, whereas the maximum permitted under the Zoning By-law is 2.0 times, and the proposed building height of 22.53 metres exceeds the permitted height limit of 12 metres.
Additional areas of non-compliance with the Zoning By-law may be identified through the further review of the application.
COMMENTS
Issues to be Resolved
Staff will be encouraging the applicant to review sustainable development opportunities by utilizing the Toronto Green Development Standard, adopted by City Council in July 2006.
Height, Massing and Density
The height of the proposed building is over 10 metres higher than the Zoning By-law permission of 12 metres. Building heights in the immediate vicinity range from 1-5 storeys (approximately 4-15 metres). The appropriateness of the additional height above the By-law limit and surrounding context will be reviewed by staff and may require a reduction and/or terracing of the upper storeys.
The applicant is proposing a density of 4.14 times the area of the lot, while the Zoning By-law permits a maximum density of 2.0 times. A determination of the appropriateness of the increase in density given the context will be subject to further review by City Staff.
Access, Parking and Loading
The proposed development will gain access to parking and loading from Gerrard Street East. The suitability of the number of parking spaces and the location of the driveway will be determined upon further review.
Indoor and Outdoor Amenity Space
It is unclear if the proposal meets the minimum by-law standard for indoor and outdoor amenity space and will require review. The suitability of the proposed location for indoor and outdoor amenity space will also require further review.
Overlook and Privacy
The location of the proposed units at the side and rear of the site may create undesirable overlook and privacy concerns for neighbours. City Staff will review the appropriateness of the proposed setback, step backs and balcony locations
Shadowing
The applicant has submitted a shadow study which will be reviewed by City Staff.
Further Information Required
At this time it should be noted that a Parking and Traffic study will be required in order to further assess the application.
Additional issues may be identified through the review of the application, agency comments and the community consultation process.
CONTACT
Mike Mestyan, Senior Planner
Tel. No. 416-397-4487
Fax No. 416-392-1330
E-mail: mmestyan@toronto.ca
SIGNATURE
_______________________________
Gary Wright, Director
Community Planning, Toronto and East York District
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1: Site Plan
Attachment 2: North Elevation
Attachment 3: South Elevation
Attachment 4: West Elevation
Attachment 5: Zoning
Attachment 6: Application Data Sheet